Collapsible garment form



Nov. 26, 1957 B. wl-:xLER r-:T AL 2,814,424

COLLAPSIBLE GARMENT FORM Filed Aug. 30, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENToR. BENJHMN WEMTER BY MHH/IH @venera Nov. 26, 1957 B, WEXLER ETAL I 2,814,424

COLLAPSIBLE GARMENT FORM 4 sheets-'sheet s Filed Aug. 30, 1956 INVENTOR. BENbhh/HN JEXLER BY Mmm/:N c. WEALER Nov. 26, 1957 B; wExLER ETAL 2,814,424

COLLAPSIBLE vGARmaNT FORM Filpd Aug. so. 195e 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

I BEHQHMN wExLEvL ga! BY Mmevm Qwexua. 4 59 ddl /6 Arme/yn United States Patent O 2,814,424 COLLAPSIBLE GARMEN T FORM Benjamin Wexler and Marvin C. Wexler,

Philadelphia, Pa. v

Application August 30, 1956, Serial No. 607,154 14 Claims. (Cl. 223-68) y. This invention relates generally toI garment forms and more particularly to improvements in collapsible garment forms. l

` A principal object of the present invention is to provide a garment form with a frame which may be collapsed without any section thereof folding over another, whereby -the bulk of the collapsed frame is reduced to a minijustment ofthe latter to a selected size, and 'which selfadjusts to the selected frame size when replaced.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter, it being understood .that the invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as described in the accompanying drawings and" .as nally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a garment form constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view looking at ythe inner front panel -of the frame covering;

Figure 3 is a view looking at the inner side of the back panel of the frame covering; i

Figure 4 is an enlarged section taken on lin'e 4-,4 of Figure 1; v

Figure 5 is a side view frame covering;

Figure 6 is `a perspective View of a frame member;

of a neck forming parto'f the Figure 7 is a front view of the frame in expanded.

conditions;

Figure 8 is a dition;

Figure 9 is a partially exploded base portion ofthe frame;

Figure 10 is a perspective view expanding and collapsing the frame;

Figure ll is yan enlarged section taken generally on plan view of the frame in expanded conperspective view of a line 11-11 of Figure 7;

Figure l2 is an enlarged section taken on line 12-12v of Figure 7;

Figure 13 is a side View of the frame in expanded condition;

Figure 14 is the same as Figure 13, but the frameis f shown in collapsed condition;

Another principal object of the present inventionis showing linkage for that closely resembles in shape Ithe stay 16 underlies the central Ione-third area and Figure 17 is the same as Figure 16, but the frame is in collapsed condition; and

Figure 18 is a section taken yon line 18-18 of Figure 17. v

Referring to thel drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, the garment form constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention comprises `a covering 10 trunk of the hum-an body and which is fitted over an open frame structure 11 mounted upon a stand 12. y l,Referring particularly to Figures 1 through 4, the covering 10 includes a front panel 13, a back panel 14 and zipper means for detachably securing these panels together. The front panel is provided with an outer felt cloth 15 and a set of three longitudinally extending fibre board stays, respectively designated 16, 17 and 18, that are adhesively secured to the inner face of the felt cloth 15 in close laterally spaced relation to vone another. The the stays the oppositel side one- The back panel is pro- 17 and 18 respectively underlie third areas of the felt cloth 15.

vided with an outer felt cloth 19 and a set of .three longitudinally extending bre board stays, vrespectively designated 20, 21 and 22, that are adhesively secured to the inner face of the felt cloth 19 in close laterally spaced relation lto one another. The stay 20 underlies the central `one-third area and the stays 21 and' 22 respectively underlie the opposite side one-third areas of `thetfelt cloth 19.

."'means aforesaid, which extends along the meeting edges of the panels 13 and 14,

p the panels.

' Each side of the covering 10 is provided with the zipper from .the top to `the `bottomof This zipper means includes longitudinallyextending parallel strips of cloth 23-23 that `are stitched :s slide 28. side of vthe 34-#34 each of which interconnects v defines the opening 30. A main section of along their remote longitudinally extending edges, as at 244-24, respectively to the outer cloth 15 of Ithe front back panel '14, and extending edges, as ,at 2S- 25, respectively to a pair of zipper tapes 26-26. The latter conventionally mount interlocked zipper elements 27 that are conventionally operated by a suitable It will be understood that the strips of cloth 23-23 are elastic in the direction of their width, .in c0nsequence of which the meeting edges of the panels 13 and 14 can be separated as desired, within a limit determined by the elastic capacity yof the strips aforesaid.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 5, a sheet material neck piece 29 is projected upwardly .through an opening 3) formed in the top of the covering 10, the base portion of 'the neck piece being disposed in underlying relation to the marginal portion of the covering 10 that the open frame structure 11 essentially comprises a pair `of laterally spaced upright members 31-31 that extend from the shoulder to the hip line i of the frame, a cross tie member 32 that interconnects "the lower end portions of the upright members 31-31, a second cross tie member 33 that is verticallyspaced arches upwardly beyond pair of narrow shoulder plates the upper end of the the opposed portion above the member 32 yand which the shoulder line, and a .associated upright member 31 with of the cross tie member 33.

Carried by .the main frame section is an `auxiliary section having a pair of laterally spaced parallel arms 35-35 the rear end portions of which are disposed between and respectively connected to opposed upright portions of the cross tie member 33 by .a pair of coaxially related pivots 36-36, and the fore end portions of which mount a chest plate 37 that extends across the front'of the main section and which is swingable on t" the horizontally extending axis `of `thepivots S9-3f).

section has a pair of laterally spaced parallel-arms 38--38 the fore end portions of which are disposed'fbetweenand n`4respectively connected to opposed' upright portions of the cross tie member 33 by a pair of coaxially related pivots 39-`-39, and the -rear end portions of vwhich mount aback that extendsv across `the rear of the `mainframe the arms 381-38 about In plate 40 the expanded condition of 4tlrxeffrarne; the -shoulder plates 134-34, chest plate 37 and'back plate 40 coniointly outi line theshoulder, upper chest andfupper backarea of the human form.

A third auxiliary section carried by the main frame ysect tion `is provided with a A'pair of-coaxially `reIatedNax'ially `spaced pivot rods'41-41 proximate'endy portions of which are-journalled respectively `in :at- U-shaped Abracket 42that extends forwardly from the cross tie-member 33, and the remote end portions of which areA journalled respectively `in a-pair of elements 43-43 that cxtendforwardly from the upright members 311-31.`V-` The rods 419-41 are axially xedrelative to one another, as by suitable'elements designated'43a.

-Associated with .the'pivot rods `41;--41 is aflexible band 44 that is suitably shaped to'foutline the bustof the human body, as shown. the `rods 41-41, the. opposite end* portions of theband For mounting the lband"44"upon `Y arecach provided witha-series of'three Irectangular aperto `the remote end portionstures` 45,and` the remoteendportions of the pivot'rods, designated 46-46, are each made rectangular 'in shape, in consequence of which the band'44 is'removably secured 46-46 of thepivot rods 41-41 with the latter respectively-projecting'inopposite directions outwardly freelythrougha` selectedpair of the apertures .t 45-45.

Fourth-andtifth4 auxiliary sections-carried by the main frame section areprovided-respectively"withpivot rods 47 and 48. Opposite end portions'of the rod 47 are jourf nalled respectively in 4corresponding fore end portions of a pair of elements 49"-49, while opposite end portions i of therod 48 are `journalled'respectively in'corresponding rear `end portions of the` elements t9-49. Theserods 47 and 48 are axially tixeddelative to one another, as

. designated respectively by elements' 43a. Theelements 49-49 Yaresecured respectively to opposed portions of the uprightmembers -t 31-315 whereby the rods 47 'and 48 are'disposed `horizontally `in parallel spaced relationk-The opposite Vend Aterminal portions of thetrodsfl47 and4 48 are rectangular in .transverse `cross section, the portions aforesaid' being 50--50 and S1-51,

` Associated :with the pivot rods 47 --and1 48 respectively are a pair of flexible bands 521and 53. `T he opposite end portions of the band 52 are provided with @rectangular apertures 54, and the oppositeend portions ofthe `band 53 `are provided bands, suitably shaped to conjointly outline thewaist of the human body, as shown, are mounted upon their pivot 'rods in a manner similar to that in which the bust outlining `band 44 is mounted upon the pivot rods ,4L-41.

with rectangular apertures 55. YThese p t brackets 65-65 that are disposed between opposed `upright portions of the cross tie member 33. The lower end portions ot" these brackets are secured respectively to and the upper end portions are disposed respectively in laterally spaced relation to the upright portions aforesaid of the member 33. The brackets 65--65 carry a generally U-shaped plate-member that has laterally spaced legs 66-66 anda leg connecting portion 67. These legs 66-66 are pivotally connected by a pair of coaxially related pivot elements 68-68 respectively to the upper end portions of the brackets 65-65. Corresponding portions of the legs 66-66 respectively mount pivot ele ments 69-69 that extend laterally outwardly therefrom in opposite directions and `project freely respectively through elongated openings 70-70 which are formed in the arms 38-38 mounting the upper back plate 40. Depending from the U-shaped plate aforesaid are a pair 'of links 71-71 the upper end portions of which are "connected bycoaxially related pivot elements 72-72 respectively to other corresponding portions of the `legs 66-66 and the lower end portions of which are connected yto-.laterally offset proximate end portions 73-73 of the `pivot rods 41-41 of the chest outlining auxiliary frame section.

Depending respectively from the arms 38-38 that mount the upper back plate 40 are a pair of links 74-74,

" the upper `end portions ofl which links are connected f related pivot elements portions-of a pair of links -related pivot elements-77-77. These latter links are connected respectively to the brackets 65-65 by a pair `of` coaxiallyrelated pivot elements A78--78 and respecproject freely rrespectively through tively `mountta pair of pivot elements 79-79 that extend laterally outwardly therefrom in opposite directions and elongated openings 80--80 which are formed in thearms 35-35 mounting the chest, upper` 1 sections respectively about the chest `plate 37. It will be observed that the U-shaped f plate member aforesaid is rockable about the horizontally extending axis of the'pivot elements68-68, which rocking movement is translated into. swinging movement of back and bust outlining auxiliary frame the horizontally extending axes of the pivot elements 36-36 andf39-39 and the pivot l. rods 41-41.

" Sixth and seventh auxiliary sectionscarried by themain frame section are generally the `same as the overlying 'waist outlining auxiliary sections in construction and `mounting. The pivot rods, respectively designated 56 and 57,"arecarried by a pair of eler'rient's'58-58, the

opposite end terminal portions of therods 56 and 57`being "respectively designated 59-59 and till-54)." Thelexible irigid rod member 81 `an upper nected to the leg connecting portion 67 of frame structure 11 is a end portion of which mounts a set of laterally extending elements 82. A pin 83 that interconnects corresponding portions of the legs 66-66 of the rockable U-shaped plate member extends Located centrally inthe open horizontallyl freely between these elements 82. The member 81 extends downwardly from the rockableplate member` freely between thepivot rods 47 and 48 at the waist `lineand 562and 57 at the hip line, being connected to each of the waist and hip outlining auxiliary frame sec- -vttions through the `mediumof a pin 84 thatextends laterally therefrom and projects freely through an elongated slot 85 which is formed ina link 85 extending laterally from an intermediate portion of the` associated pivot rod.

Depending from the rockableplate member is a coil tension spring 87 the upperend portion of which is conthe U-shaped plate member by an element 88. The lower end portion of this-spring is connected tothe. upright member 81 by an element 89, in consequence of which the rockable lU-,shaped plate member is constantly` biased about the axis of the pivot elements 68-68 in clockwise direction (as viewed in Figure 15), while the rod 81 is constantly biased upwardly. Thus the' severalk auxiliary frame secl tions areurged to swing in frame expandingdirection `tion of Extending across the front and rear of the crown porthe archedzcross tie.member33 are a pair ofv plate members and 91 that are suitably hanged overxand secured to the member 33. The upper end portion of emesse the rod member 81 extends freely upwardly between these plates, and the lower edge of the plate 90v is provided with a pair of rod guiding elements 92-92, l

Carried by the plate member 90 is a vertically extending leaf spring 93 the upper end portion of which is anchored by means of a rivet 94. The lower end portion of this leaf spring mounts a button 95 that projects freely through an aperture 96 whichis formed in the plate 91 and is rearwardly biased against an element 97 that is mounted upon the rod member 81. f

Pivotally secured to the plate 91, as at 955, is an operating lever 99 that is laterally offset intermediate its opposite ends, and which extends freely through an arcuate opening 100 formed in the plate 91. This lever is biased in clockwise direction (as viewed in Figure 16) by a` tension coil spring 101, and the portion thereof between the plates 90 and 91 is provided with alaterally extending element 102 that has a cam face 103 which engages with the element 97 mounted on the rod member 81. v The stand 12 comprises an upright rod member 104 that is surmounted by a U-shaped member which has a pair of legs 105-105 and a leg connecting portion 106. The upright members 31-31 of the main frame section are channel shaped in transverse cross section and are slidably removably fitted over the legs 10S-105 aforesaid. A hook 108 is provided at the top of the open frame structure 11 for use in lieu of the stand 12.

When it is desired to collapse the garment form, the lever 99 is depressed (against the force of the tension spring 101) from the full line to the dotted line position thereof shown in Figure 17, whereupon the rod mem-I ber 81 is cammed downwardly (against the force ofthe tension spring 87). To facilitate operation of the lever 99, a suitable finger piece 109 is provided. As the rod member 81 moves downwardly, the auxiliary frame seclines f downwardly against the main It will be observed that the chest and bust outlining auxiliary frame sections swing in the same direction, downwardly, while the bust and underlying waist outlining auxiliary frame sections swing in opposite directions, the former downwardly and the latter upwardly. During 'the collapsing operation, the latter two auxiliary sections swing inwardly close to the main frame section without either interfering in any way with the swinging movement of the other because the opposed portions thereof are complementally arranged to avoid overlapping.

As the red member 81 reaches the limit of its downward movement, the leaf spring 93 is released'and' shifts from its position shown in Figure l to that shown in Figure 18, in which latter position the lower terminal portion of this leaf spring engages the uppermost surface of the element 97. It will be apparent that the spring 93 is automatically operative to secure the rod member 31 against moving upwardly under the influence of the coil spring 87. After the garment form has collapsed and the lever 99 released, the latter immediately returns to its initial position under the influence of the coil spring 191.

ln the event that it is desired to increase or decrease the size of the form, the covering is iirst removed. This is effected by operating the slides 28-28 to separate the interlocked elements 27 and to thereby separate the front and back panels of the covering 10. After removing the latter, the several tiexible bands Lid, 52, 53, 61 and 62, or selected ones thereof, are detached from their pivot rods by suitably spreading and manipulating the opposite end portions thereof. r[hen the several bands aforesaid are remounted with the opposite end portions of their pivot rods engaging desired different apertures. Now the front and back covereing panels are replaced and zippered together, automatically self-adjusting to the new size of the form through the contraction or eX- pansion ofthe several elastic strips 23. lIt will be understoodthatthe size of the form may be changed while the frame structure thereof'is in collapsed condition, as well as vwhile it is in expanded condition. In addition, the form may be expanded and collapsed without any necessity for removing the covering 10.

It will be understood, of course, that vthe present invention is susceptible of various changes and modification'swhich may be made from time to time without departing from the general principles or real spirit thereof, and it is accordinglyjintended to claim the same broadly, as well asspeciiically, as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

l. In'fa collapsible` garment form, a frame comprising an upright main section extending from one side to the opposite side of the form, a plurality of auxiliary sections carried bysaid main section, and swingabley between foldedand expanded positions', said auxiliary sec'- tions being disposed compactly against saidmain section when in the former of'said positions, and being operative conjointlyy with said main section to outline the trunk of the human body when in the latter of `said positions, certainofsaid auxiliary sections locatediny front ofthe mainl sectionrespectivelyfin thechest region and at the bust line of the form being mounted for swinging movement downwardly and rearwardly and certain others of said auxiliary sections located in front of the main section respectively at the waist and yhip lines of the form being mounted forv swinging movement upwardly and rearwardly, saidl auxiliary sectionsat the bust and hip lines being adopted for fully executing the swinging movement aforesaid without folding over one' another, an elongated member carried by said main section vand mountedfor axial shifting movement relative thereto, said shiftable member being operatively connected to said auxiliary sections and being operable to simultaneously swing the same between said folded and expanded positions, and spring means associated with said shiftable member and operative to urge the same into such position relative to said main section as to yieldably maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition.

2. A frame for a collapsible garment form as defined in claim 1 wherein the auxiliary sections at the bust and hip lines are vertically spaced from one another an efective distance greater than the sum of the effective depths ofthe auxiliary sections aforesaid.

3. A frame for a collapsible garment form as dened in claim l wherein the fore edges of thel auxiliary sections at the bust and waist lines are respectively concave and convex in form, whereby the fore portion of-the auxiliary section at the waist line is freely accommodated by the fore portion of the auxiliary section at the bust line in the collapsed condition of the frame.

4. In a collapsible garment form, a frame comprising an upright main section extending from one side to the opposite side of the form, a plurality of4 auxiliary sections carried by said main section and swingable about horizontal parallel axes between folded and expanded positions including in front of said main section auxiliary sections respectively located in the chest region and at the bust, waist and hip lines, and to the rear of said main section auxiliary sectionsfrespectively located in the upper back region and at the waist and hip lines, and means for collapsing and expanding said frame including a member'mounted in the neck vregion of said frame for rocking movement about an axis parallel to the pivotal axes of said auxiliary sections, said auxiliary sections located in the chest and upper back regions and at the bust line being operatively connected to said rockable member, an elongated member carried by said main section and mounted for axial shifting movement relative thereto, said shiftable member being operatively connected to said rockable member and to the auxiliary sections located at the waist `and hip lines and being operable to simultaneously swing `the several auxiliary sections `between folded and expanded positions, and spring means associated with said shiftable member and operative to urge `the same into such position relative to said main section is to yieldably maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition.

5. A frame for a collapsible garment form as defined in claim 4 wherein the spring means is a coil tension spring located to the rear of the main frame section and depending from the rockable member, and the opposite end portions of said spring are connected respectively to the rockable and axially shiftable members.

6. A frame for a collapsible garment form as defined in claim 4 wherein the rockable member is U-shaped and disposed between corresponding opposite side portions of said main frame section with the legs thereof straddling and the leg connecting portion'located to the rear of the axially shiftable` member, and corresponding leg portions of said U-shaped member are pivotally connected respectively tothe portions aforesaid of said main frame section.

7. A frame for a collapsible garment form as defined in claim 4 wherein xedly associated with the auxiliary section at the bust line is an element that extends radially from the pivotal axis thereof, and linkage connected to the rockable member at a point radially spaced from the pivotal axis of the rockable member extends to said element and is pivotally connected to the free end portion of the latter, whereby rocking movement of said rockable member is translated into swinging movement of said auxiliary section.

8. In a collapsible garment form, a frame comprising an upright main section extending from one side to the opposite side of the form, a plurality of auxiliary sections carried by said main section, and swingable between folded and expanded positions, said auxiliary sections being disposed compactly against said main section when in the former of said positions, and being operative conjointly `with said main sectionto outline the trunk of the human body when in the latter of said positions, certain of said auxiliary sections being mountable in a plurality of positions so as to selectively vary the size of the frame at the bust, waist and hip lines, and spring means associated with said shiftable member and operative to urge the same into such position relative to said main section as to yieldably maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition, and an outer covering removably fitted over said frame and self adjusting to the size thereof.

9. In a garment form as defined in claim 8 wherein the covering for the frame comprises front and back panelsconjointly outlining the trunk of the human body and detachably secured together on each side of the form by means extending along the meeting edges of the panels aforesaid and yieldable in a direction normal to said meeting edges.

l0. In a garment form as defined in claim 8 wherein the covering for the frame comprises front and back panels conjointly outlining the trunk of the human body and detachably secured together on each side of the form by zipper means extending along the meeting edges of the panels aforesaid including a pair of zipper tapes secured respectively to said panels, by means elastic for yielding in a direction normal to the zipper opening.

11. In a garment form as defined in claim 8 wherein the covering for the frame comprises front and back panels conjointly outlining the trunk of the human body and detachably secured together on each side of the form by means extending along the meeting edges of the panels aforesaid and yieldable in a direction normal to said meeting edges, and each of said panels comprises an outer pliable cloth and a plurality of longitudinally extending rigid stays secured to the inner face of the cloth aforesaid in side by side relation.

12. In a garment form as delined in claim 8 wherein the covering for the frame comprises front and back. panels conjointly outlining the trunk of the human body and detachably secured together on each side of the form by means extending along the meeting edges of the panels aforesaid and yieldable in a direction normal to said meeting edges, and an annular neck forming piece removably embraces the upper end of the frame, the base of said neck piece beingtitted into an opening `therefore focused in said frame covering.

13. In a collapsible garment form, a frame comprising an upright main section extending from one side to the opposite sideof the form, a plurality of auxiliary sections carried by said main section, and swingable between folded and expanded positions, said auxiliary sections being disposed compactly against said main section when in the former of said positions, and being operative conjointly Vwith saidmain section to outline the trunk of the human bodylwhen in the latter of said positions, certainof said auxiliary sections being mountable in a plurality of positions so as to selectively vary the size of the frame at the bust, Waist and hip lines, each of said last mentioned auxiliary sections comprising an outer peripherally extending liexible band having a series of perforations formed in its opposite end portions, spring-pressed means operative to yieldably maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition, and means for removably mounting said band including a pair of coaxially related pivot elements extending horizontally outwardly in opposite directions freely through selected corresponding ones of said apertures.

14. In a collapsible garment form, a frame comprising an upright `main section extending from one side to the opposite side of the form, a plurality of auxiliary sections carried by said main section, and swingable between folded and expanded positions, said auxiliary sections being disposed compactly against said main section when in the former of said positions, and being operative conjointly with said main sections to outline the trunk of the human body when in the latter of said positions, certain of said auxiliary sections being mountable in a plurality of positions so as to selectively vary the size of the frame at the bust, waist and hip lines, each of said last mentioned auxiliary sections comprising an outer peripherally extending exible band having a series of perforations formed in its opposite end portions, spring-pressed means operative to yieldably maintain said auxiliary sections in fully expanded condition, and means for removably mounting said band including a pair of coaxially related pivot elements extending horizontally outwardly in opposite directions respectively beyond the opposite sides of said main section freely through selected corresponding ones of said apertures, said elements being polygonal in transverse cross section and said apertures being correspondingly shaped.

Wexler et al Ian. 19, 1954 Wexler et al May 19, 1956 

